Encore: The Stork King

Circle Round

In this Ukrainian-inspired tale from Circle Round, a young boy named Yuri volunteers to journey to the mysterious palace of the Stork King a

Key takeaways

• Taking risks can lead to greater rewards than expected.

Main topics

• Courage
• Risk-taking

Notable quotes

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Conclusion

Yuri's willingness to take a risk and face the unknown leads him on an e

Transcript preview

Speaker 5 (0:01) Hello, listeners. Welcome back to Circle Round. My name is Ben Brock Johnson. You might recognize me as the guy who reads those ads in the show sometimes. You know the ones. But that's not my only job. I'm one of the people who helps bring Circle Round to life. So today, I'm sharing a story dear to my heart because it is about something that I love to do. Taking risks. So, Circle Round, everyone, for... Speaker 7 (0:41) Ever Speaker 1 (0:42) heard Speaker 2 (0:46) the expression, nothing ventured, nothing gained? What it means is, if you want to achieve something, often you have to take risks. In today's story, three characters take a big risk, and they wind up gaining more than they ever expected. Speaker 2 (1:11) I'm Rebecca Shear, and welcome to Circle Round, where storytime happens all the time. Today, our story is called The Stork King. It's inspired by tales from the Eastern European country of Ukraine. Some really great people came together to bring you our version of this tale, including Julian Lerner, who most recently starred in the reboot of The Wonder Years on ABC. Kids, you can hear Julian's voice in the PBS animated series Alma's Way. Speaker 2 (1:44) So circle around, everyone. The Stork King. Speaker 2 (1:52) Once upon a time, way out Speaker 1 (1:54) in the country, there lived a wheat farmer. The wheat farmer had three children, Maxim, Sasha, and Yuri. And the family spent long days diligently working the land. Okay, so maybe not everyone in the family. While Yuri was always quick to offer help... I'll help you, Mother. Maxim and Sasha were quick to offer excuses. Um, I would help you, Mother. But I feel Speaker 5 (2:22) a head cold coming on. And Speaker 7 (2:25) I feel a stomach bug. And did I mention I have a back ache? And I have the worst ear ache. Speaker 2 (2:36) One sunny morning, while Yuri was running errands, and Maxim and Sasha were running on about their aches and pains, and head colds, and Speaker 7 (2:45) stomach bugs, the Speaker 2 (2:47) farmer went out to the stable where she kept her oxen. The two strong creatures were the only animals the farmer could afford, and they were excellent workers when it came to plowing, planting, and harvesting. Speaker 1 (3:00) Good Speaker 6 (3:01) morning, my brawny friends. It's time for some plowing. I'll just get the cart here and... What Speaker 1 (3:10) in the world? The farmer gasped as the wheat field suddenly grew dark, as if a large shadow had fallen across it. What happened Speaker 6 (3:20) to the sun? Did a whole bunch of storm clouds roll in and cover Speaker 1 (3:25) up the sky? The farmer tilted her head upward, but she did not see a bunch of storm clouds. Instead, she saw a stork. That's right, but not just any stork. This stork was huge. Its body was nearly as long as Speaker 2 (3:44) the oxen's stable, and its Speaker 1 (3:46) outstretched Speaker 2 (3:47) wings were nearly as wide as the farmer's house. Speaker 3 (3:52) Greetings, farmer. I am the stork king! As Speaker 2 (3:57) the enormous bird glided to the ground, the Speaker 1 (4:00) farmer was at a loss for words. She had never been in the presence of a gargantuan stork before, let alone a royal one who spoke. Greetings, Speaker 6 (4:10) your highness. To what do I owe the pleasure of this most unexpected visit? Speaker 3 (4:16) Well, it just so happens that I too have a farm. right outside my silver palace. My workers could use an extra hand. So I've come to take your oxen. Take my oxen? The farmer Speaker 6 (4:34) felt her heart clench. You can't take my oxen. I need them to plow, plant, and harvest wheat so my children and I can make a living. Speaker 3 (4:46) I see. Speaker 1 (4:48) The stork king blinked his Speaker 6 (4:49) bright Speaker 1 (4:50) gray eyes. Speaker 3 (4:51) In that case, how about I take one of your children instead? Some human assistance could be useful. The choice is yours. Speaker 1 (5:04) The Speaker 2 (5:04) farmer shuddered down to her work boots. Was this talking bird really forcing her to decide between her oxen and her offspring? Speaker 6 (5:13) Listen, I am not about to part with any member of my family. So, fine, you can take the Speaker 1 (5:22) oxen. The stork king gazed at the farmer. Then he lowered his head until he was looking her straight in the Speaker 3 (5:29) eye. I see you possess a good heart, farmer. So, in return for your oxen, I will offer payment. Have one of your children visit my palace. I will send them home with whatever reward they choose. Speaker 1 (5:48) The Speaker 3 (5:49) farmer felt Speaker 6 (5:49) relieved and confused. I appreciate the offer, Your Highness, and I will take you up on it. But we don't know where your palace is. How are we supposed to find it? Speaker 3 (6:04) Let's just say anyone can find it if they play their cards right. But you can start by looking east of the Morning Star. Thank you for the oxen. Speaker 1 (6:17) And with that, the great bird seized both oxen in his talons. Speaker 2 (6:22) And with a few flaps of his Speaker 1 (6:24) enormous wings, he disappeared from view. Will Speaker 2 (6:36) one of the farmer's children find the Stork King's palace? And if they do, what reward do you think they'll bring home? We'll find out what happens after a quick break. Speaker 5 (6:51) 100 years from now in a land far, far away. Hang on. It's not so far away at all, actually. Hey, Circle Round families. We're here to share a new listening experience from WBUR, The Midnight Rebellion. It's a climate podcast adventure for kids eight and up. Time traveling, problem solving, laughs in danger. It's here. Follow the feed to listen. Oh, and bring your goggles and boots. That's The Midnight Rebellion. In your feed or wherever you get podcasts. Speaker 2 (7:24) I'm Rebecca Shear. Welcome back to Circle Round. Today, our story is called The Stork King. Speaker 2 (7:40) Before the break, the stork king took both of the farmer's oxen. In exchange, he promised a reward, which one of her three children would have to pick up at his silver palace. That evening, as the family gathered around the kitchen table for a humble dinner,